Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite

While San Francisco hasn't suffered the staggering bedbug infestation that's currently taking New York City by storm (reports of the little bastards have gone from zilch in 2002 to 4,638 in 2006), the noctural blood-suckers still show up at various hotels, hostels and private residences in the Bay Area. And they're a bitch to get rid of, which is why The Bedbug Registry is a great way to steer well clear of infestations and give yourself the heebie-jeebies in the process. Now for some fun bedbug facts!

A bedbug can lay 500 eggs in a lifetime and can fast for one year between meals.

Some species use a mating plug, which a male inserts post-copulation to seal the female's vaginal opening upon withdrawal.

They seek places shielded from sunlight, including the seams and inside cushioning of mattresses and chairs, supporting frames for beds, and baseboards.

Bedbug infestations can often be detected by looking for black tracks on bedding, which are the bedbugs' fecal stains.

I bet you're already feeling a little itchy just thinking about it, aren't you?

— Brian Bernbaum

Photo courtesy/Centers for Disease Control

(via Thrillist)